1
as in surrendered
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
the boy reluctantly relinquished the illegal fireworks to the police officer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in resigned
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
the retiring CEO relinquished his position to the company's vice president with very mixed feelings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relinquished
Angell relinquished not only his role as chair, but as a board member entirely.
—
Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
There’s Brownie, a stray boa constrictor who was wandering in an apartment complex and Kiki, a shy kinkajou, who was relinquished when his caregiver became ill.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
The Patriots never relinquished the lead.
—Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle, 29 Jan. 2026
Hal Trosky, tired of serving as the manager’s shield, relinquished the title in 1941.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
In 2022, the Department of Managed Health Care renegotiated a lease with the Park Tower Plaza in downtown Sacramento and relinquished two of the four floors used by the department while many employees were working remotely, according to records.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Jan. 2026
In exchange, the ranchers relinquished their rights to 20-year leases and leased their properties to the conservancy, the suit said.
—Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Despite having ruled since 1979, the Islamic Republic has never relinquished the psychology of siege.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
But as anyone knows who’s ever lost — or even voluntarily relinquished — a foundational piece of themselves, to understand loss is not the same as to accept it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
There’s Brownie, a stray boa constrictor who was wandering in an apartment complex and Kiki, a shy kinkajou, who was relinquished when his caregiver became ill.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
The Patriots never relinquished the lead.
—Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle, 29 Jan. 2026
Hal Trosky, tired of serving as the manager’s shield, relinquished the title in 1941.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
In 2022, the Department of Managed Health Care renegotiated a lease with the Park Tower Plaza in downtown Sacramento and relinquished two of the four floors used by the department while many employees were working remotely, according to records.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Jan. 2026
In exchange, the ranchers relinquished their rights to 20-year leases and leased their properties to the conservancy, the suit said.
—Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Despite having ruled since 1979, the Islamic Republic has never relinquished the psychology of siege.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
But as anyone knows who’s ever lost — or even voluntarily relinquished — a foundational piece of themselves, to understand loss is not the same as to accept it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquished
Verb
-
He was released on $600,000 bond, surrendered his passport and was ordered to limit his travel to New York and Ohio, refrain from gambling and submit to GPS monitoring.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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In October, not long after Andrew and Sarah surrendered their respective Duke and Duchess of York titles, King Charles stripped Andrew of all of his royal titles and privileges.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The same week Howell resigned, his deputy chief, Adam Hadder, was dismissed.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Superintendent Christopher Smith resigned last week and his wife, Brenda Smith, the district’s chief human resources officer, was placed on leave without explanation.—
Denver Post,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Contrast stitching emphasizes the split between the collar and the rest of the upper, which are each rendered in different colorways.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
There’s also the good, sure work of Chris Cooper as an honest man struggling against adversity, and the reserved but effective portrayal rendered by Schroder.—
Miles Beller,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One such royal family member was Grand Duke Emeritus Henri of Luxembourg, who abdicated in favor of his son last October.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Congress, meanwhile, has largely abdicated its regulatory role, lulled into inaction by Silicon Valley’s campaign dollars and lobbying power.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Savannah Guthrie, joined by her siblings, Annie and Cameron, delivered an emotional video plea directly addressing her mother’s potential abductor, begging for her safe return.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Since its founding in 1994, Convoy of Hope has delivered hundreds of millions of meals and provided clean water to millions of people.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Born rich, yet sought a life of poverty Born into a merchant family in the Umbrian town of Assisi, in present-day Italy, around 1181, Francis famously renounced his family’s wealth.—
Vanessa Corcoran,
The Conversation,
2 Feb. 2026
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Through the request, Franyelis renounced her claim to seek asylum in the United States and asked Reingold to let her self-deport.—
Maeva Bambuck,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On a temperate evening in Melbourne, Aryna Sabalenka—appearing in her fourth consecutive Australian Open final, with two titles at the tournament already under her belt—ceded what would have been her fifth Grand Slam win to the 26-year-old Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, 4–6, 6–4, 6–4.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2026
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And the Batmobile and other Bat-transports have ceded the space to a dugout canoe that once carried Karankawa Indians as far back as the 16th century and a custom 1990s lowrider tricycle that represents three generations of Texas lowriders.—
René Guzman,
San Antonio Express-News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relinquished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquished. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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